Challenge Corporate Mergers

Public Citizen opposes state and federal rubber-stamp approval of mergers that would result in utility combinations even larger than the infamous Power Trusts of the 1920s and 30s that collapsed. Modern mega-mergers have been faciliated by the 2005 repeal of the Public Utility Houlding Company Act (PUCHA).

Public Citizen Responds to Merger Trend

Consumers are threatened by the trend toward utility consolidation, as the larger companies will span multiple states, undermining the ability of local officials to protect consumers. Without meaningful consumer protections, these sprawling energy companies will have less transparent corporate structures, particulary as oil companies, investment banks and hedge funds move to acquire electric utilities.